UNITED CHURCH NEWS                                                           December 2005

                                                                                                                                                                    

“A community of faith providing nurture, strength, & direction for living today in God’s world.”

 

From the Interim Pastor’s Pen:

 

December is the time of year when we at the United Church and throughout the world go around wishing each other a very Happy Holiday season.  Everywhere we go we hear “Have a Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holiday.”  Unfortunately for some the holidays may not be such a merry and happy occasion.  For some it is a time of sadness and grief for losses sustained.  For others it is a season filled with mayhem, chaos and fanatic preparations.

 

As we approach this holiday season it is good for us to remember that God is the one who established holidays and intended that they have constructive, beneficial and redemptive results in our lives.  The very word “holiday” comes for the idea of “holy day.” The Hebrew word for holy is kadosh, meaning, “to set apart,” “to devote to God.”  When we recognize a holiday, we can identify it as a day set apart for God’s purposes, a time to devote to God. 

 

One of the first holidays for Israel was established when God delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt.  Upon their exodus God gave clear instructions in Exodus 12 for a “holy-day” called Passover to be established.  In verse 14 we read, "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance.” Careful details were given outlining how this day was to be spent.  The holiday activities were to be a way of celebrating God’s gracious acts of the past, remembering God’s goodness through both the positive and negative times, and receiving assurance of God’s faithfulness for the future. 

 

We can draw some conclusions about God’s intentions for our celebration of holidays.  Holidays such as Christmas are an ideal time for us to remember both the positive and negative events of the past, and like the Israelites, to recall the acts of God on our behalf and be grateful.  God has entered the world to reach each of us with tangible love and what could be a more appropriate reason “to set apart” a “holy day.”

 

As we journey through Advent to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, I hope that your time includes time to pray, time to be still, time for reflection, time to tell the story of the Messiah’s birth, and time for service in our community, especially among those who are less fortunate than ourselves. 

 

I am Silent . . . and Expectant by Ted Loder

 

How silently,

How silently

The wondrous gift is given.

 

I would be silent now,

Lord,

And expectant . . .

that I may receive

the gift I need,

so I may become

the gifts others need.

 

As your interim pastor I do hope your holiday is a happy occasion and you experience what it means to be “actively peaceful and peacefully active. “

 

Sincerely in Christ,

 

Kathleen Waters, Interim Pastor

Worship for December 2005

 

Dec. 4                        Second Sunday of Advent                                                                                                    Lighting the Advent Candle:  PEACE

10:25 AM       Meditation: “Holiday Hazards”                                          Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Scriptures: Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8     

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (“served”)        

 

7:00 PM         St. Nicholas Festival Lessons & Carols Community Advent Service

                        Area Combined Choirs at Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville,

                        UCF Senior Choir, Joyful Sign Choir, members of Children’s & Youth Choirs 

 

Dec. 11          Third Sunday of Advent                                       Lighting the Advent Candle:  JOY

10:25 AM       Sermon:  “Making News”                                                 Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

Dec. 18          Fourth Sunday of Advent                                 Lighting the Advent Candle:  LOVE

10:25 AM       “The Gifts of Christmas” – Festival service of lessons and carols with “The Drum,”

                        an intergenerational musical play by Katherine K. Davis, choir carols with accompaniment by piano four hands, readings, poetry, dance.

                        Music by the children’s, cherub, youth and senior choirs.

Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38; 47-55                                        Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Christmas Joy/Thank Offering received

 

Dec. 24          Christmas Eve

5:00 PM         Family Service                                                                    Lighting the Christ Candle

Sermon in Drama:  “Waiting for the Christmas Guest” (a play by Edwin Markham)

                        Scriptures: Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-5,14                            Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

Youth Handbell Choir, soloists, instrumental ensemble

Christmas Offering received to benefit South Asia Earthquake Relief

 

6:00 pm         The Living Créche (at the stable in front of the church)

 

10:45 PM       Handbell Carol Prelude

11:00 PM       Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols              Lighting the Christ Candle

                        Meditation: “Seeing Through Christmas Eyes”              Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

                        Scriptures: Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7

Music by String Trio Trumpet, United Church Ringers, Senior Choir, Organ

Christmas Offering received to benefit South Asia Earthquake Relief

 

Dec. 25 AM               Christmas Day  (Church School Vacation)

10:25 AM       Sermon: “A Birthday Gift Box”                                           Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

                        Scriptures: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1:1-4

                        Christmas Carol Sing

 

Jan. 1             Epiphany Sunday   (Church School Vacation)

10:25 AM       Sermon: “Seeing is Believing”                                          Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters

                        Scriptures: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Luke 2:22-40

                        Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (come forward)

 

 

 

Worship, Music & Spiritual Life

St. Nicholas Festival Choirs

Sunday Dec. 4th, 7 PM

The annual Combined Choir service of Lessons

and Carols ushers in the Advent season in an ecumenical way.  It will again feature choirs from our Fayetteville-Manlius churches, including children and youth from United Church participating in the Youth Choir and our Senior Choir and Joyful Sign Choir, with Alice Hatt as organist this year.  This gift to the community from the choirs takes place on Sunday, Dec. 4th, 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville.  Please join us and be inspired by the beautiful music of the choirs, and lend your voices in singing advent hymns and carols of our Savior’s birth. Bring a gift of canned food in the spirit of St. Nicholas for the Inter-religious Food Consortium.

The Youth Choir, for grades 5 through 12, will be participating in an ecumenical choir, meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1st at 6 p.m. at Immaculate Conception for their rehearsal with director Lorrie Russell.

 

UCF Handbell Concert

at Wynwood Commons of Manlius

Dec. 10th, 1 PM our Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs will give a concert for the residents at Wynwood Commons of Manlius.

 

Dec. 10th Christmas Caroling

Sing all your favorite

Christmas carols, play tone chimes, and join with church families, children and youth to go caroling to homebound friends Sat., Dec. 10, 2 p.m.  Meet at church.

 

Dec. 18th “The Gifts of Christmas”

Musical Play ~ “The Drum”

Fourth Sunday in Advent worship focus: How

does a gift come to us?  In what might it be wrapped – in the blankets of a tiny baby...in the box carried on the long journey of a seeker...in the artwork of a child....in the hands of an orphan child playing a drum....in the creativity of a friend...in the ancient message of the small picture on a card...in contemporary wrapping paper, foils, and ribbons? Where can we see gifts with today’s travelers?  Where are God’s gifts in every place, and every experience of life?

Join us in worship Dec. 18th for a celebration of

the gifts of Christmas in lessons, carols, poems, story and a dramatic musical intergenerational play, “The Drum.”  Told from the voices of children it is always a very special service!

The opening scene of “The Drum” is a country road a few miles from Bethlehem, a homeless orphan is asleep, a peddler comes by on his journey, together they help each other out and eventually follow a star to Bethlehem.  Along the way the child carries a timbrel for the peddler, “a little drum...you could dance to it...it’s a very ancient thing...in the psalms we hear about praising the Lord with the timbrel.”  The peddler plans to play the timbrel “when the Messiah - the great king comes - who will be born one day to rule over Israel, when there’ll be no more war or troubles, he’ll rule all with love, and we’ll love him, and praise him with the timbrel!”  

The cherub, children’s, youth and adult choirs will lead us in the story and songs which ends with a drum presented at the manger, and with all singing the “Carol of the Drum” (you may be drawn into humming along with your own “pa-rum-pa-pum-pums....”).

Composer Katherine K. Davis, (1892-1980) was a graduate of Wellesley College and taught music theory and piano there. Davis's most famous composition was the "Little Drummer Boy" (originally titled "The Carol of the Drum" in 1941); the song first became famous when it was recorded by the Trapp Family Singers.  The song came from a Czech carol and went on to become a holiday classic. The animated TV special is not the same story as the original musical play “The Drum” which she composed for the song.

For more information contact Judy Spencer, Jim Spencer, Alice Hatt, or Sarah Vonhof.  To help with costumes and props, contact Lynn Scharbach.

Welcome SU Brass Ensemble!

“Brass & Bells” Concert

A Christmas tradition at UCF! The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, directed by UCF member Jim Spencer will give a concert on Sunday, Dec. 18th at 7:00 PM. The SU Brass Ensemble will be joined for their eighth year by our two Handbell Choirs who will open the program with seasonal music.  The SU Brass Ensemble will perform music of various styles, concluding with an audience carol sing with the full brass ensemble and with our organist.

Bring a gift of canned food to the concert in the spirit of St. Nicholas. Following the concert a reception will be held in Fellowship Hall.

 

 

Advent Booklets ~ Advent Wreath

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” was mailed to the congregation the week before Advent.  The booklet contains candle lighting ceremonies and reflections for both families and individuals. 

An article in the booklet describes one mother’s thoughts on preparing your family to welcome the Christ Child:

“We need Advent because everything in our culture tells us that this season is about buying –  the perfect present, the perfect decorations, the perfect feast, even the perfect memories for our families. And we need more than anything to be reminded of God's perfect gift to all of humankind.....We need it because everything in our culture tells us that our lives should be built around our jobs, our purchasing power, our frantic schedules. We need to remind each other that we belong to God. We need to tell and hear the story of a God who chose to become poor and vulnerable.

...For many families, carving out that little extra bit of time for Advent devotions may seem impossible. When we add to our already-busy lives the demands of the holiday season as most of us experience it, adding one more thing seems impossible. We will need to commit ourselves to making it a priority for this season. Having a fixed time every week is helpful, but some flexibility is in order, too. We normally have our Advent devotions on Sunday evening, either before supper or before bedtime. But families who have other obligations at those times may find that a weekday evening or even a morning works better for them. Any time when the family can be together can be the right time...” (Lynn W. Gilliam)

The Worship & Spiritual Life Committee has

also purchased 25 copies of a daily devotional “Advent Profiles” which will be available Nov. 27th from Kathy Bohnsack until they are gone. Children and youth will be receiving a calendar of activities in Church School classes for Advent as well.

                                         

 

Christmas Eve at United Church

 

5 PM Family Service

The 5 PM Family Service will be a service of lessons and carols with a drama:  “Waiting for the Christmas Guest” (a play by Edwin Markham, adapted by Janet Meili).  The play comes from the poem “How the great guest came” by Edwin Markham (1852-1940) who is known as the “Poet of Democracy.”  The setting is a cobbler shop on Christmas Eve, with Conrad, the cobbler and his wife Martha.  Conrad has had a dream that the Lord Jesus would come and be their guest on Christmas, so he has prepared for him...meanwhile he has several unexpected visitors.  “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

Soloists, ensembles, and the Youth Handbell Choir will offer Christmas music for the service. 

 

“Living Creche” Luminarias light the way!

6 PM outdoor “Living Creche” with stable, animals, costumed characters at the nativity scene, following the 5 PM worship.

 

Candlelight Service 10:45 PM

The candlelight Festival of Lessons & Carols service begins with the Adult Handbell Prelude at 10:45 p.m. The Senior Choir will sing “Christmas Day” by Gustav Holst and  carols by John Rutter and Carl Schalk, solo by Michelle Manuel Garciano.

Rev. Dr. Kathleen Waters’ Meditation: “Seeing with Christmas Eyes.”

 

Sunday, Dec. 25th,

Christmas Morning Worship!

Worship at 10:25: A Birthday Gift Box will be opened - we are the recipients of gifts as well as the gift givers on Christmas morning!  Consider what gifts might be in the box as you come to worship. Ask yourselves what gifts we can give to God in honor of the birth of Jesus. 

Christmas Carol Sing - Christmas carols proclaim the good news of Christmas in poetic and powerful ways.  On Christmas morning we will sing the good news for the birthday of a King!

Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music & Worship

 

 

December 2005 Adult Education

                        Forums and Bible Study

                                  Sundays 9:00 - 10:15 AM

              Join us for coffee, fellowship & discussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.  Forums in Beard Lounge

Forums are presentations and discussions which focus on timely topics of Christian social concern, personal and spiritual development, Bible study, or explorations of our Christian heritage and world religions.  Through Forums we seek to provide a place for understanding special topics or current issues of our Christian presence in the community and world.

 

December 4:  The Sacred Music of Edward Elgar Part 2:  Dr. William West will be presenting Elgar's 'The Apostle' and 'The Kingdom'.  These pieces, inspired by the Bible and the life of Christ, were considered by Elgar to be some of his most important work. Portions of these beautiful compositions and Elgar's 'Te Deum' will be played.

 

December 11:  Cara Steiner will share her faith history with us.  Cara sings in our choir and heads our Church and Society Committee.  She was raised in the Mennonite tradition and has been with us for many years.

 

December 18:  Hope Wallis, the director of the Refugee Resettlement Program and the Southeast Asia Center of the Syracuse Inter-religious Council, will tell us about what is being done locally for and with refugees.  This is an appropriate topic for this season as the family of Jesus had the experience of being refugees.

 

II. Bible Study in Women’s Lounge

9:00 AM  The Sunday morning Bible study group reads and studies scripture with Fred Davey as the lead teacher.  They are currently studying from the book of Romans.  Come and be welcomed.

 

III.  A Parents’ Place  [Downstairs in Room 5]

9:15 AM  The parent’s group continues this year as an informal group for parents that features conversations about the joys and challenges of raising children.

 

Suggestions for future Adult Forums - please speak with Chairperson Ed Clarke or a member of the committee:  Lois Coleman, Shirley DeHority, Dorothy Harrold, Dick Lang, Jackie Meyer, Carol Reinsmith, Lois Spitzer, Joe Steiner.

 

       What's Up from Down Under

     Sharing and Caring by the Young People

                     of United Church

 

Sat.   Dec. 3     10 a.m.-12 p.m. “The Drum” rehearsal

Sun.  Dec. 4      Cookie Walk in Fellowship Hall

Sat.   Dec. 10    2-3:30 p.m.  Christmas Caroling

Sun.  Dec. 11    Christmas Luncheon, Fellowship Hall

Sat.   Dec. 17   1:30-3:30 p.m., ‘The Drum” rehearsal

Sun.  Dec. 18   “The Drum” presented in worship

                          7:00 p.m. Brass and Bells at UCF

Sun. Dec. 25 & Sun. Jan. 1 10:25 a.m. Worship service

                             Sunday School vacation – no classes

 

Advent is a season of hope, a time for preparing hearts and minds to celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas.  Use the little ceremonies in the “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” Advent booklet that you have received to light your Advent candles and to share activities for together time during this exciting season of waiting.  Many families enjoy decorating a shoebox or other container as Jesus' crib.  During Advent, family members can add a piece of straw or strip of colored paper for each good deed they do, preparing a nice, soft bed for Jesus when he arrives.  Every activity during this season prepares us to receive God's truly special gift - Jesus!

 

“The Drum” - Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum !!  This special part of our musical presentation on Sunday, Dec. 18 during the worship service will help lead us all to the stable in Bethlehem!  Parents, please note rehearsal schedule above.

 

Spread a little Christmas joy and meet at the church for Christmas Caroling, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2:00 p.m.  If you're good you may even get hot chocolate with marshmallows!

 

F-M St. Nick Festival offers many family activities!  An Evening With St. Nick, Brass and Bells concert, Combined Choir Lessons and Carols - be sure and put them on your calendar!!

 

Wow, what a great evening!!!  Family Game Night on Friday evening, Nov. 4, was attended by nearly 40 fun-seekers of all ages.  Delicious pizza, lively conversation and some good old fashioned running around started the evening off.  Great board games and soccer in the gym capped a thoroughly enjoyable get-together!  Let's do it again soon!!

 

Candy drive is a big success!!!  Thanks to a great response by our congregation, UCF kids were busy as bees filling over 81 bags of candy to add to FM Food Pantry holiday baskets!

 

December Church School Mission - Sponsor a Family  This month our Sunday School classes will be very busy making a merry Christmas for a local family.   Each class will help choose and wrap gifts for their special member of the family.  Gifts will be purchased using offerings from the Children's Morning Worship.

                                                                                   

                                                                                                Judy Spencer,

                                                                                                Director of Children’s Ministries

 

 

 

 

 

            What’s Going Down Up In The Attic????

 

December 3rd-

12:00 pm - Volunteer at Samaritan Center

7:00 pm - Monk and Neagle concert at Erwin United Methodist Church.

December 4th

During Sunday School Paul Caldwell continues talk about drug and alcohol abuse.

December 11th

                                                        Luminaria sale after church

 

Hello everyone!  Thank you for your continued support of this church’s youth. Because of your support, we have had a successful fall, and we are expecting December to be just as stimulating and enjoyable.

 

We ended October with our annual Rake and Run.  The event was a success and it was all due in large part to Dave DeHority.  A big thanks goes out to Dave for coordinating the event. I also want to thank all of the parents that volunteered their time and talents to this project. Grades 7-12 all participated and we raked lawns vehemently. We left no leaf behind. When we ended, 5 lawns were left groomed and ready for winter’s menacing wrath.

 

We also held our first lock in of the year on the 11th, in which fifteen youth participated.  On that same day we were able to start the first phase of the room restoration project.  We all took an hour and cleaned up the room.  Much of the room is now cleared and ready for renovation.  Please, we are still open to receive any donations.  We still need a VCR/DVD player, and also fiscal donations are of course welcome (wink, wink). 

 

Paul Caldwell came into our classroom on 11/6. He described how humans use mood-altering behaviors as mechanisms to avoid stress, and if not careful those behaviors could consume a substantial part of life, which can be problematic.  The discussion was a huge success, because it had everyone thinking.  We have also explored, prior to Paul’s discussion, the role stress plays in all of our lives, and how Jesus told us that we all have problems; yet, we need not worry.  We are also discussing the importance of inclusion.  Currently, as I am writing this, our class is going over bringing the so-called “outsiders” in.  Society deems those that do not “fit in” to be outsiders.  Christ accepted everybody, so as a group we need to be more mindful of everyone’s differences, accept differences as gifts and welcome everybody to the Lord’s table just as Christ did.    

 

This group continues to amaze me.